Toxic shock syndrome following submandibular gland excision.

Acute toxic shock syndrome (TSS), initially described in association with the use of super absorbent tampons in menstruating women, has complicated a variety of surgical procedures. Recent attention in head and neck surgery has focused on absorbent packing materials, such as those used in postoperative nasal care. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion in all postoperative patients to fever, hypotension, and erythroderma. We report TSS following submandibular gland excision.